DRIVERS faced rush-hour chaos today after a series of 999 emergencies hit three of the Midlands' major commuter routes.

One of Birmingham's busiest routes, Hagley Road in Edgbaston, was closed to traffic heading in and out of the city after a suspected arson attack gutted a derelict house. Two people were being quizzed by police in connection with the blaze.

The M6 was hit by two accidents - a pile-up involving three lorries in the Black Country and a vehicle fire in Staffordshire.

And drivers using the M5 were hit by more problems when a lorry trailer caught fire on the southbound carriageway between junctions 2 and 3, near Oldbury.

Hagley Road was shut by police just after 3am as up to 20 firefighters battled a blaze which began in a bedroom at the derelict property. Crews from Ladywood, Smethwick, Bournbrook and Central stations fought the blaze, with some firefighters using hydraulic ladders.

Adjoining properties were evacuated as the smoke spread across Edgbaston and thousands of drivers heading into the city became caught up in huge queues.

Hagley Road was expected to remain closed until after this morning's rush-hour.

A 40-year-old man, of no fixed address, and a woman, aged 23 from Walsall, were arrested on suspicion of causing arson with intent to endanger life and criminal damage.

The M6 was closed entirely for a short time after the lorry crash, which happened on the northbound carriageway between junctions 10, at Walsall, and 10A, near Cannock, at 5.50am.

One of the lorries was thought to have jack-knifed and careered into the central reservation on what is one of Europe's busiest stretches of motorway,

There were no serious injuries and the motorway later reopened. But one lane in each direction was due to remain closed throughout the day and motorists became snared in long tailbacks.

One driver caught in the thick of the traffic said: "The M6 was like a car park. There was traffic stretching as far as you could see."

More problems hit the M6 just north of Junction 10 with firefighters from the Black Country and Staffordshire called to tackle a burning vehicle between junctions 11 and 12 near Cannock.